NDP upped pressure on Liberals to meet deal deadlines due to communications ‘bottleneck,’ says NDP House leader
The NDP’s recent public pressure demanding Liberal progress on supply-and-confidence deal promises was to address a “bottleneck” in communications between the two parties, according to NDP House Leader Peter Julian, who said he remains confident the government will deliver on the agreement’s 2022 targets. Julian (New Westminster–Burnaby, B.C.) added that talks between the two parties […]
The NDP’s strategic dilemma
Federal New Democrats should view the partition of Poland in the 18th century as a cautionary tale. For those of you not up on your European history, let me explain: In the late 1700s, Poland was progressively carved up by its rivals—Austria, Russia, and Prussia—until nothing was left of the once-powerful country. Poland basically disappeared […]
Liberal House leader accuses Conservatives of obstruction tactics ‘without purpose,’ Opposition House leader hits back
During a legislative session unfolding in the midst of an ongoing pandemic, the ‘Freedom Convoy’ making landfall just metres outside of West Block, and a particularly rancorous Conservative Party leadership race, 14 government bills ultimately received Royal Assent during the first session of the 44th Parliament, which sat from Nov. 22 to June 23. But […]
The case against uniting the left
OAKVILLE, ONT.—A famous old adage says, “United we stand; divided we fall.” Yet, even though, most of the time, that’s an inspiring rallying cry, I’d argue that in politics, division is occasionally better than unity. For example, I believe it’s better for the Liberals to remain a separate political entity from the New Democrats. I […]
In praise of polling
OAKVILLE, ONT.—American politician Sarah Palin once dismissed polls saying they were for “strippers and cross-country skiers.” Of course, Palin isn’t the only politician who has ever disparaged polls and polling. The old expression “the only poll that matters is the one on election day” seems to pop up every election cycle. Yet, for all their […]
The wait for pharmacare has gone on long enough
When the NDP and the Liberals signed their confidence-and-supply agreement in March, one element that generated a lot of excitement was a pharmacare plan. This is something that has been promised for more than 50 years, since the Hall Royal Commission report established medicare in the 1960s. Then came the April budget. Where was pharmacare? […]
Transport Minister Alghabra’s office reaches 19 staff
There are five new staff to report, and one departure, in Transport Minister Omar Alghabra’s office since Hill Climbers’ last dive into the team in late December, including Emma Kristensen, who’s been brought on as director of appointments, cabinet, and parliamentary affairs. Kristensen joined Alghabra’s team in January after roughly two years as an operations […]
The meaning of the Liberal-NDP Agreement
TORONTO—There is both more and less to the Liberal-NDP confidence-and-supply deal than meets the eye. Referring to the deal as “NDP-Liberal government” as interim Conservative leader Candice Bergen has done or a “Liberal-NDP government” as Esprit de Corps magazine editor Scott Taylor does in The Hill Times is ridiculous, as ridiculous as calling Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s […]
‘Centrist’ Grit MPs support Liberal-NDP agreement ‘at this time,’ but ‘very concerned’ about financial aspect of deal, says nine-term Liberal MP Sgro
A seasoned government backbencher says she supports the Liberal-NDP confidence-and-supply agreement “at this time,” but indicated that support could falter if the cost involved in honouring this deal turns out to be too high, adding she’s not alone in caucus with her concerns. “At this time, because of the stability issue, I am supportive of […]
Liberals live up to dental care promise and other key areas of NDP deal; NDP will support budget
The NDP will support the Liberal budget after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland delivered on the specific promises outlined in the confidence-and-supply agreement, including dental care. In crafting a pact with the NDP, the Liberals made specific promises to ensure the House of Commons’ fourth party would help them see their […]
